Capitals squander two goal lead to Lightning in NHL 20 simulation
The virtual Washington Capitals failed to close out the series.
In front of a raucous crowd at Capital One Arena, the virtual Washington Capitals tried to close out the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning but failed to do so in embarrassing fashion.
The Caps blew a two goal lead and the Bolts responded with five unanswered goals including three in the third period to ensure this virtual series in NHL 20 comes down to a best of one.
The Caps wasted no time getting the upper hand on their home ice in the early going. At 8:37, Nicklas Backstrom ripped in a shot right up the middle for his 10th goal of the playoffs.
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At 12:03, Carl Hagelin went top shelf from the left faceoff circle for his fourth goal of the playoffs. Ilya Kovalchuk and Michal Kempny had the helpers.
2-0 Caps was the score after one. The Caps were outshot 9-6 but Braden Holtby stood tall stopping everything in his path.
Yanni Gourde got the Bolts on the board at 5:13 with a shot from up the middle assisted by Brayden Point. At 13:11 the Caps were awarded the first power play of the game which was a tripping minor from Steven Stamkos but despite the extra attacker, the Lightning was still able to tie it up.
They got a breakaway goal from Anthony Cirelli at 14:24 to knot up the score at two heading into the final period. The Caps were outshot 13-8 in the middle stanza and 22-14 overall up to that point.
The third period was all Bolts. Ryan McDonagh gave them the lead at 12:12 off a feed from Steven Stamkos. Yanni Gourde doubled that lead late in the third at 18:56 and at 19:20 Tyler Johnson sealed the win with an empty net goal.
Shots were even in the third period at 11 apiece while the Caps were outshot 33-25 overall. Holtby’s night ended with 28 saves for an .875 save percentage.
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Can the virtual Caps bounce back and win Game 7 to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final just like they did in real life two years ago? Check back tomorrow to find out!